Lady Cougars Close Florida Trip Strong with Wins over Dordt and Judson

KISSIMMEE, Fla. — The Mount Vernon Nazarene University softball team (7-2) completed The Spring Games in Kissimmee, Florida on Wednesday, March 5 against Dordt University (8-10) and Judson University (3-9).   

Game 1 vs Dordt:  

Dordt opened the game with a run to take a 1-0 lead in the top of the first. The Lady Cougars came out swinging in the bottom of the inning, scoring five runs. Kylie Rohr reached home after Jenesia Montalvo got on base after an error. Montalvo then scored off an error on the shortstop, giving MVNU a 2-1 lead. Mollie Pentz then hit a single to left field, scoring Miller. Brooklyn Krum topped off the big inning with a two-run single to left that brought home Zimmerman and Mayer. Dordt began to battle back, scoring five runs in the fourth to take a 6-5 lead. MVNU recaptured the lead, scoring runs in the bottom of the fourth and fifth innings to take a 7-6 lead. Now trailing 7-8 in the bottom of the seventh, Mollie Pentz reached first and then was driven in by Sydney Hoover, who hit a double, tying the score 8-8. Rohr grounded out, which moved Hoover into scoring position at third. Montalvo stepped up to the plate with two outs, then doubled down the right field line, scoring Hoover and making the game a walk-off win over Dordt by a final score of 9-8. 

Game 2 vs Judson:  

MVNU scored first in the top of first inning, and Judson responded with its only run of the day in the bottom of the frame to tie the game at 1-1. Krum started the second inning with a single to left and was moved around the horn after a bunt from Pentz. Sophie Durbin then singled to score Krum, which moved the score to 2-1. MVNU added three more runs in the second inning to extend its lead to 5-1. In the third, Rohr hit an RBI double and would later score off an error to put the Lady Cougars up 7-1. MVNU added on its last run of the game in the sixth and would go on to win 8-1. Bailey Sheets completed her first game of the season, pitching 108 pitches with 71 strikes. Sheets allowed six hits, one earned run and struck out six in the game. 

What's Next: 

The Lady Cougars play at the Cougar Softball Field for the first time in 2025 against Taylor University in the first conference double-header of the season on Tuesday, March 11 at 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. 

Mount Vernon Nazarene University is a private, four-year, intentionally Christian teaching university for traditional age students, graduate students, and working adults. With a 327-acre main campus in Mount Vernon, Ohio, MVNU emphasizes academic excellence, spiritual growth, and service to community and church. MVNU offers an affordable education both in-seat and online to nearly 2,100 students from 33 states and 26 foreign countries.